J.J. Abrams reveals to Jon Stewart why he never liked 'Star Trek'

In an appearance Monday on “The Daily Show,” J.J. Abrams revealed to Jon Stewart that he was never much of a “Star Trek” fan -- at least not until recently.

The director’s latest film “Star Trek: Into the Darkness” hits theaters this week, but he’s also attached to a new installment of “Star Wars” due in 2015, turning him into a one-man monopoly on beloved science fiction franchises.

Stewart asked Abrams for his perspective on the differences between the two properties. He likened “Star Wars” to a Western or Samurai movie and suggested that it “never felt like a sci-fi thing.” “Star Trek,” on the other hand, did.

“It always felt too philosophical for me,” he said.

That’s when Stewart, a self-proclaimed Trekkie, tuned out.

“I stopped listening to you when you said you didn’t like ‘Star Trek.’ I know what happened because your mouth kept moving after that, so I’m assuming you apologized,” he joked.

But Abrams elaborated about his “Star Trek” conversion, explaining that the series “never clicked” with him until he began work on 2009’s film reboot starring Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto.